2:03 p.m. ET: "I have to tell you I’m happy today, I hope you’re happy today," Romney says at his campaign rally in Ashland, Virginia to cheers. "I know that the Democrats are working very hard today. They're pulling out all their books and they're looking at every vote and they're interviewing everybody in his neighborhood. They're not going to find anything."

1:58 p.m. ET: Ryan lists Romney's credentials, including leadership of the 2002 Olympics and governorship of Massachusetts, and criticizes Obama's tenure in office. "We’ve seen that hope and change has become attack and blame," under Obama, Ryan said.

1:54 p.m. ET: "We’re at that proverbial fork in the road. We have the choice of two futures ahead of us," Ryan at a campaign rally in Ashland, Virginia.

1:52 p.m. ET: Romney and Ryan are taking the stage at a campaign rally in Ashland, Virginia.

1:28 p.m. ET: The Obama campaign released a statement saying Vice President Joe Biden called Ryan "earlier today to congratulate him on his selection and welcome him to the race. The Vice President urged Congressman Ryan to enjoy the day with his family, and said he looked forward to engaging him on the clear choice voters face this November."

1:24 p.m. ET: CNN's Chris Welch reports that former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who was considered to be on Romney's short list, said in Manchester, New Hampshire Ryan is "a bold leader with great ideas for trying to get this country back on track, and I think he and Governor Romney together will make a great team." Full Story

In July, Romney's campaign and the RNC raised $101.3 million - an average of $3.4 million per day. Most of that, however, was raised at high-dollar fund-raisers.

12:35 p.m. ET: Former President George W. Bush issued this statement, distributed by Romney's campaign:

"This is a strong pick. Governor Romney is serious about confronting the long-term challenges facing America, and Paul Ryan will help him solve the difficult issues that must be addressed for future generations."

12:26 a.m. ET: Republicans are piling praise on Romney for his choice of Rep. Ryan as his running mate. One prominent name yet to weigh in, however, is the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

Democrats are also reacting, slamming Ryan for his budget plan and tax proposals.

"Rep. Paul Ryan admits that he is the poster child for controversial proposals to reform the nation's entitlement programs: For workers now under the age of 55, seniors would be given the option of choosing a private program instead of the traditional Medicare program and would receive money to offset the premium they have to pay. Federal spending for Medicaid would be sent to the states to manage, and the Social Security retirement age would gradually be raised to 70."

Another analysis, from New Yorker Washington Correspondent and CNN Contributor Ryan Lizza: "Romney has made the most daring decision of his political career. After spending weeks looking into Ryan’s history for The New Yorker, visiting his home town, and interviewing him twice, I am genuinely surprised that Romney chose him."

11:57 a.m. ET:

Wow, Mittsters break land speed record trying to distance from radical Ryan budget. Problem: it looks just like Mitt's!
abcn.ws/Pb7vAs

11:08 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney introduced Paul Ryan as his running mate on the U.S.S. Wisconsin in Norfolk, Virginia, home of the largest naval base in the world. Yet the 2012 election marks the first time in 70 years that all four candidates vying for the White House haven't had any military experience.

10:58 a.m. ET: A first glimpse at the Romney campaign's new logo - with the name of the new running mate.

10:51 a.m. ET: Where does Paul Ryan stand on social issues? CNN's Erin Burnett asked him last spring.

10:50 a.m. ET: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, another Republican previously considered a top pick for Romney's running mate, released the following statement Saturday:
"Paul is a good friend and one of the smartest guys I served with in Congress. He has the courage of his convictions, which is what our nation needs."

10:47 a.m. ET:

10:44 a.m. ET:

The Gov already teaching the Ryan's the beauty of a peanut butter and honey sandwich. http://t.co/KiPb40CH

10:41 a.m. ET: Perspectives from around the web on Romney's pick of Ryan as his running mate:

Julian Zelizer on CNN.com: "The decision excites many conservatives who have been calling on Romney to go big. They believe Ryan will inject some juice into a campaign they feel has been lackluster and put the focus on the policy differences between Romney and President Obama."

John Podhoretz at Commentary Magazine: "The speech vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan delivered this morning gives a sense of the quality you get from being in a room with him: He’s not a fire-breather."

Wendell Potter on iWatch News: "If Americans who are embracing Rep. Paul Ryan’s “Path to Prosperity” — and that now includes Mitt Romney — spent a few minutes reviewing a few recent research reports, they just might conclude that the Wisconsin Republican’s plan to reduce the deficit might better be renamed the “Path to the Poorhouse” because of what it would mean to the Medicare program and many senior citizens."

Paul Begala at the Daily Beast: "With Ryan, Romney Has the Plutocrat Ticket"

10:25 a.m. ET: More from Beth Myers, who led Romney's search for a running mate. She spoke exclusively with CNN Chief Political Analyst Gloria Borger.

10:18 a.m. ET: President Barack Obama's campaign already has a webpage in place tearing apart the newly formed GOP ticket.

"Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney both support trillions in budget-busting tax cuts for millionaires that will result in tax hikes on the middle class and deep cuts in education and other investments we need to grow," the page begins.

Responding to the Democrats' attacks on Ryan, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said on CNN: "It's nothing but smear tactics, once again, because President Obama doesn’t want ot talk about his economic record."

10:14 a.m. ET: What has Obama said about Ryan's budget plan? He slammed it in April, calling it "thinly-veiled Social Darwinism."

"It is antithetical to our entire history as a land of opportunity and upward mobility for everyone who's willing to work for it - a place where prosperity doesn't trickle down from the top, but grows outward from the heart of the middle class," Obama said.

"What he wants is a couple things," Myers said. "First of all, he wants all the information, and we went about a very thorough process in making sure we had a lot of information about a broad group. He also doesn't like to rule anything out until he has to."

10:07 a.m. ET:

according to Romney internal talking points, Romney will not embrace the Ryan plan

10:00 a.m. ET: Romney's slip-up when he introduced Ryan as "the next president of the United States" isn't the first time a presidential candidate made that mistake. Then-candidate Obama introduced Joe Biden in 2008 by saying "So let me introduce to you the next president - the next vice president - of the United States of America, Joe Biden!"

9:44 a.m. ET: Ryan is finishing up his speech by listing his perceived contrasts between the GOP ticket and the Democrats: "We won't duck the tough issues, we will lead! We won't blame others, we will take responsibility! We won't replace our founding principles, we will reapply them!"

9:42 a.m. ET: Ryan: "We Americans look at one another's success with pride, not resentment, because we know, as more Americans work hard, take risks, and succeed, more people will prosper, our communities will benefit, and individual lives will be improved and uplifted."

9:41 a.m.

random thoughts: how will this pick affect P90X stock? new trail fashion - tie or jacket but not both?

9:39 a.m. ET: Ryan, to cheers: "I'm proud to stand with a man who understands what it takes to foster job creation in the economy. That knows if you have a small business, you did build that."

That's a reference to a speech Obama gave in July. Here's the full quote from Obama:

"If you are successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet."

9:37 a.m. ET: Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, previously considered a top VP pick for Romney, released the following statement Saturday:

"Congressman Ryan is a respected leader and a bold thinker regarding the changes needed to restore America. His selection will also help Governor Romney win the key swing state of Wisconsin. I am excited about a Romney-Ryan ticket and look forward to doing all I can to help them win this election."

9:34 a.m. ET: Ryan: "My dad died when I was young. He was a good and decent man. He said you’re either part of the problem or part of the solution. Pres Obama has become part of the problem, not the solution."

9:32 a.m. ET: Ryan: I am committed in heart and mind to putting my experience to work in a Romney administration.

9:31 a.m. ET:

Then Romney puts his arm around Ryan and says, "Every once in awhile I make a mistake." Comedy Central producers cheer.

9:30 a.m. ET: Ryan, wearing a dark jacket over a white shirt with no tie, says "Gov. Romney is the man for this moment."

9:29 a.m. ET: Romney corrected his mistake: "I'm known to make a mistake every once and a while. I didn't make a mistake with this guy."

9:28 a.m. ET: Romney introduced Ryan as "The next president of the United States." (Yes he said "president" not "vice president") Ryan walked on stage to the same music as Romney.

9:27 a.m. ET: Romney: "Today's a good day for America, and there are better days ahead"

9:25 a.m. ET: President Barack Obama's campaign manager Jim Messina released the following statement as Romney was speaking Saturday, reacting to Romney's choice of Ryan as his running mate.

“In naming Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney has chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy. The architect of the radical Republican House budget, Ryan, like Romney, proposed an additional $250,000 tax cut for millionaires, and deep cuts in education from Head Start to college aid. His plan also would end Medicare as we know it by turning it into a voucher system, shifting thousands of dollars in health care costs to seniors. As a member of Congress, Ryan rubber-stamped the reckless Bush economic policies that exploded our deficit and crashed our economy. Now the Romney-Ryan ticket would take us back by repeating the same, catastrophic mistakes.”

9:22 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney officially announced Ryan as his running mate, saying his "integrity in unquestioned and his word is good."

9:19 a.m. ET: Gov. McDonnell introduced Mitt Romney to cheers. Romney walked down a set of stairs on the U.S.S. Wisconsin to sweeping orchestral music - a change from his normal country western soundtrack.

9:16 a.m. ET: Gov. McDonnell is warming up the crowd in Norfolk, slamming President Barack Obama for what he said were policies harmful to small businesses.

9:13 a.m. ET: As Romney prepares to name Ryan as his running mate, Democrats will be eager to pounce on Ryan's controversial budget plan. Read more about Democrats' past criticisms of Ryan's plan here.

8:56 a.m. ET: Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, also previously mentioned as a potential running mate for Romney, will speak in Norfolk ahead of the presumptive GOP nominee and his vice presidential pick.

8:54 a.m. ET: Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, previously considered a top choice for Romney's running mate, released a statement Saturday wishing Ryan the best:

"Mitt Romney has made a great choice in Paul Ryan. He is an accomplished public servant and a leading voice on the most pressing issues facing our country. Paul is one of my best friends in Congress and someone I have worked closely with as a former colleague on the House Ways & Means Committee."

"Jane and I wish Paul and Janna and their kids the very best. As the Chairman of the Romney campaign in Ohio, I look forward to working with Paul to ensure that the Romney-Ryan ticket carries Ohio and is victorious in November. Most importantly, as a member of the Senate, I look forward to working closely with a Romney-Ryan Administration to restore fiscal sanity and enact pro-growth policies to create jobs."

8:52 a.m. ET: Before Romney and Ryan took the stage in Norfolk, former Virginia Gov. George Allen rallied the crowd. Allen is locked in a battle for a U.S. Senate seat with Tim Kaine, also a former Virginia governor and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

8:49 a.m. ET:

Will be interesting to see, starting today, if Ryan can sell his plan to America as well as he did to GOP. #CNN

8:35 a.m. ET: The Romney campaign released excerpts from Rep. Ryan's speech in Norfolk, slated to start at 9 a.m. ET (watch live on CNN or here). More excerpts to come.

Ryan will say: "I believe my record of getting things done in Congress will be a very helpful complement to Governor Romney’s executive and private sector success outside Washington. I have worked closely with Republicans as well as Democrats to advance an agenda of economic growth, fiscal discipline, and job creation."

"I’m proud to stand with a man who understands what it takes to foster job creation in our economy, someone who knows from experience, that if you have a small business—you did build that."

8:34 a.m. ET:

Campaign is still planning on 9a start time for Romney/Ryan event. Romney is here at event site.

Ryan Lizza (New Yorker Washington correspondent and CNN contributor) wrote of Ryan earlier this month: "Tall and wiry, with a puff of wavy dark hair, he is nearly as well known in Washington for his punishing early-morning workouts as he is for his mastery of the federal budget.

The Wall Street Journal editorial page, earlier this week: "His working-class roots and middle American values would counter the stereotype of Mr. Romney as too rich and disconnected to average concerns."

8:16 a.m. ET:FROM CNN IREPORT:
Rick Huffman, a conservative iReporter in Saint Joseph, Michigan, says it's "very good news." He wanted Marco Rubio for Romney's VP but says Ryan is a good choice. "With him next to Romney, my hopes are even higher that Romney will win this election."

7:13 a.m. ET:Here's an image of the message Romney sent to supporters announcing Ryan as his VP pick.

7:07 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney's campaign sent an official announcement on their smart phone app announcing Ryan as the vice presidential pick. "Mitt's choice for VP is Paul Ryan. Spread the word about America's Comeback Team #RomneyRyan2012," the message read.

7:05 a.m. ET: As Mitt Romney prepares to unveil his running mate pick Saturday morning, recent polls show President Barack Obama has expanded his margin over the presumptive GOP nominee.

According to a CNN/ORC International survey released Thursday, 52% of registered voters say they would support the president, while 45% are backing Romney.

6:56 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan campaigned together in Wisconsin ahead of the state's April 3 GOP primary. They also happened to be campaigning together on April Fools Day. Here's a look at what ensued.

6:52 a.m. ET: Polls show Americans are largely unsure of Ryan, who chairs the House Budget Committee. A CNN/ORC International survey taken August 7-8 showed 54% of those polled saying they didn't know enough about Ryan to form an opinion. Twenty-seven percent said they viewed the Wisconsin congressman favorably and 19% viewed him unfavorably. Read more on brand new polling numbers on Ryan here.

6:50 a.m. ET: Who is Paul Ryan? For starters, he's considered a rising GOP star and the Republican Party's leader on fiscal and budgetary issues. Read more here.

If by "greatness" you mean dumping everyone off health care, including Seniors off Medicare, handing out vouchers for schools and health insurance and hoping ordinary people have the money to make do with that (assuming they're able to qualify for and keep health care insurance) and turning this country into the Christian version of the Taliban – go GOP.

August 11, 2012 01:09 pm at 1:09 pm |

Bteen9

If I said it once, I'd say it again, the twit is a clone of George Bush, remember him, the single IQ guy that is today the worse ex-President ever? He is not even the official nominee to be president for the hatepublicans, and he has messed up his trip, now announces his VP as the next President. Couldn't find anythin better Twit? And for Ryan, what he meant to say is that they will restore whiteness to the white house, their agenda since the day Obama became President.

August 11, 2012 01:09 pm at 1:09 pm |

Chris

Final nail in the Coffin for Romney. The only reason Ryan is on the ticket is because of his publicity. End of story. I d like to see the polls in FL in about a month now that Ryan is on that ticket.

August 11, 2012 01:10 pm at 1:10 pm |

heavywords2012

Ryan is a good choice though. He will help break down unions that cripple our education system.

August 11, 2012 01:10 pm at 1:10 pm |

GOP = Greed Over People

The Fox poll showed Mr 1% down by 9 points and an 11% drop among independents so Team Robme picks a VP with a budget plan that polls badly among independents???

Interesting strategy for a win.

August 11, 2012 01:11 pm at 1:11 pm |

Laurie

Romney picked the day of a hugh labor rally in Philly to announce his running mate. Where's the news coverage of that? Just another example of his lack of concern for the working class.

August 11, 2012 01:11 pm at 1:11 pm |

Linda

Thank you baby jebus for this wonderful gift you have bestowed upon the Democratic party today. Amen!

August 11, 2012 01:11 pm at 1:11 pm |

Hope Dope

Time for Hope! Time for Change!

Romney/Ryan 2012!!!

watch the stock market go bonkers on Monday...

August 11, 2012 01:12 pm at 1:12 pm |

barbarianofgor

Great,

His pathetic failed campaign is so desperate he brings a RANDDroid as a heartbeat away.
Make no mistake, Liber"Tarians" are LiberTINES by another name.

He'll promise the world, but the only ones delivered will be to the upper, upper class.

August 11, 2012 01:15 pm at 1:15 pm |

gg

Looks like Mitt got a plan from Rayn now because he doesn't have one plus trying to focus the attention on Rayn instead of his tax shelter, swiss bank accounts and Bain capital.

August 11, 2012 01:15 pm at 1:15 pm |

barbarianofgor

Do you want to lose social security, medicare, BUT pay the same TAXES you do now and increase them?

He'll give that to you.

August 11, 2012 01:16 pm at 1:16 pm |

NSam

Sure together they will work so hard to restore dreams of the 1% of the population who would want to become wealthier by crushing the middle class. So those like Romney can hide their money in other countries to avoid taxes, send jobs offshore to make more money and the big oil can continue to take tax breaks. They will lay out a path to take America to a third world country. This is the time "We the people" must stand up and reject these two men who believes that the rich owns this country and others must work for them like slaves.

August 11, 2012 01:16 pm at 1:16 pm |

Paula D.

I really like the t-shirt; I just don't care for the names on the front of it.

August 11, 2012 01:17 pm at 1:17 pm |

SOP

Actually no one remembers him in undergrad, grad school, or his hometown, except a few people that are committed republican leaders now. Don’t ask. He did get a post as editor of a journal in college, but no one remembers his doing anything or publishing anything, or why he got it. Don’t ask. He also was listed as a Canadian citizen, and some feel got special treatment in getting in schools he could not afford, with mediocre grades. He endorses using illegal drugs, breaking the law as a youth. Don’t ask. He hung out with neo-Nazi groups, was a committed follower of extremist that had been convicted of terrorism and attacked the state department when they were young. In fact his political campaign started out in their homes, and they raised Monies for him, but they were just guys in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, all of his records are sealed. No explanation of his strange SS# that someone else had before. He will not show us his birth certificate, well he showed it to Shawn Hannity and he said it looked real to him. Don’t ask. Later, we found out that he had lived in several countries, South Africa during apartheid being one of those, but we should never ask these questions as it may be viewed as reverse discrimination. The truth is he had never worked a day in his life, he handed out tracks, gave speeches, and is worth millions of dollars. His home was bought by others that continue to pay his taxes. Don't ask. Clearly he is the most intelligent person ever to run as a vice presidential candidate, of course he is so smart, to keep him from overloading us with information he uses teleprompters to keep him on track, he mumbles and makes noises to keep our minds from exploding, thank God! Or just thank him, many mindless whites believe him the "white Muhammad". Apparently there were many women that began to spontaneously pass out as Romney made the announcement as they got in the presence of Ryan. Don't ask questions, just be thankful that you have the pleasure of supporting him in becoming the vice president, it’s your duty as the press to be compliant and be the guardians of liberalism, I mean conservatism. No, don’t ask. Just see what the conservative talking points are for the day and go with it, attack the liberals, and belittle them as ignorant, racist folks that want to see everyone starving, without jobs or insurance. Don't ask. Satire aside, Romney and Ryan’s records are open and available will actually be scrutinized, and mischaracterized. Tax forms, really? How about an entire lifetime that is hidden? Romney and Ryan-they will not get a free pass. Ignore the Donkey in the middle of the room, and its policies that bring dependency, and economic ruin. Many nations have already tried socialism Mr. President, it has failed in every nation. We have tried your socialism and it has worked? Tell that to the 25 million who cannot find full time work, follow the Democrat double down-I think not.

August 11, 2012 01:18 pm at 1:18 pm |

Liza

This is crazy bananas.

August 11, 2012 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |

ken

With one giant sweep of the country, we can all take a big sigh of relief now that the choice has been published.

Romney has permanently severed his last vestige of hope to acquire the votes of hispanics, the elderly and the middle class.

The strangest part is that he believes Ryan's budget puts the economy back in the forefront.
No one can concentrate on the economy when your killing grandma!

August 11, 2012 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |

Bob

I find it sad that the GOP has been hijacked by fundamentalist who want divide our country so greatly.

They have cut off the nation's nose to spite its face in terms of stimulus versus austerity.

They have blown the whistle on government for the first time in 200 years, in a time where rates are so low that it may actually make sense to borrow and spend on infrastructure.

They have pointed fingers and called people who disagree with their views everything from a free spending liberals to communists while disagreeing to compromise on any plan to move the nation forward that goes against their views.

What the country needs most right now is a middle of the road conservative republican, and there are none to be found! In fact, none have been found since McCain sold out to Palin. We do not need a fundamentalist group like the Tea Party to divide and impede progress.

Somewhere along the line the idea of the Republican Party and the Tea Party became blurred together. I do not think they could be any more opposite. Somewhere along the line the Republican Party died. I feel closer to voting for democrats that try to advance our great nations than for "republicans" who want to hijack it for a social agenda and self promotion.

August 11, 2012 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |

riamb60

Cut health and aid to the elderly and poor---–sounds like a decent human being.

August 11, 2012 01:20 pm at 1:20 pm |

The Unsub

no news here. where r robme's tax returns!

August 11, 2012 01:20 pm at 1:20 pm |

Icyhott

Why is it that people who are most likely going to vote for obama have to come to the cnn blog to tell everyone else how bad rommney and ryan are going to be?

August 11, 2012 01:20 pm at 1:20 pm |

Julie Greenwell

I absolutely love Romney's pick as VP! It's time to say bye bye, Obama! Obama is the most evil president America has ever had!

August 11, 2012 01:20 pm at 1:20 pm |

Right-on..........

The right team...together is everything......charisma..likabilty..capability...and ready to move into the White House and take contoll....America is on the way to "recovery" in every sense of the word.....

August 11, 2012 01:21 pm at 1:21 pm |

Paula D.

Going far right with Ryan instead ofPchoosing someone moderate was the death knoll of this campaign. (Funny how it's often decided at the moment the VP candidate is selected). Anyway, it's still not too late to write in Ron Paul which I plan to do.